Awards Shortlist Announced
The sixth, annual, Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards, which will take place on Wednesday 10 June 2009 at Ribby Hall, will celebrate tourism businesses across the county and today (April 20) the tourist board announced the very best, shortlisted in each category – trailblazers who now find themselves deservedly in the spotlight.
The awards are supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA)
This year, more than ever, the visitor economy is playing a vital role in the general ‘business health’ of the region, as the industry seizes the opportunities presented by the ‘staycation’ trend and renewed interest from overseas visitors. As is often the case during challenging times, those within the industry who innovate and explore new routes to success, often emerge stronger and these qualities are clearly evident in many of this year’s entries.
Mike Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board said:
“This year the applications have been impressive particularly as they reflect heightened levels of creativity and quality of service, setting inspiring benchmarks for tourism businesses across Lancashire.
One of our winners last year, The Beach House in Blackpool, raced through the subsequent regional finals and is representing Lancashire this week at Enjoy England Awards for Excellence. We wish them every success and believe that all those shortlisted this year, will reap rewards and recognition for their businesses simply by taking part.”
All finalists announced today, will be invited to a celebratory luncheon at Ribby Hall on Wednesday June 10 where the overall winners in 13 categories from Large Attraction to the increasingly competitive Sustainable Tourism, will each receive their prestigious award.
Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at the NWDA, said:
“The NWDA is proud to support the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards again this year. The increasing interest in holidaying at home is great news for the industry, but we must continue to ensure that we are offering the best quality experiences to our visitors. These awards are helping to raise standards across the region, making sure that Lancashire and the Northwest can compete with the best of the best across the UK and internationally.”
Those shortlisted by category are :
Bed and Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year – Sponsored by Visit Blackpool
The Ashton, Lancaster
The Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston
Howarth House, St Annes
Little Stubbins B&B, Claughton-on-Brock
Small Hotel of the Year – Sponsored by Lancashire County Developments Ltd
Crofters Hotel, Garstang
Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, Langho
West Tower Country House Hotel, Aughton
Large Hotel of the Year – Sponsored by Blackpool and the Fylde College
Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel, Leyland
The Midland Hotel, Morecambe
Preston Marriott Hotel
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – Sponsored by KPMG
Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk
Helmshore Mills Textile Museum
Lancaster Canal Packet Boats
Old Holly Farm, Garstang
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – Sponsored by University of Central Lancashire
Blackpool Tower & Circus
Blackpool Zoo
Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Near Ormskirk
Caravan Holiday Park and Holiday Village Award – Sponsored by Napthens Solicitors
Eastham Hall Caravan Park, Lytham St Annes
Hawthorns Park, Nr Carnforth
Sunset Park, Hambleton
Windy Harbour Holiday Park, Little Singleton
Self Catering/Serviced Apartments Award – Sponsored by Northwest Regional Development Agency
Clough Bottom Farm Cottages, Bashall Eaves
Malkin Tower Farm Holiday Cottages, Blacko
Old Stables at Tippett Farm, Rossendale
Proven House, Longridge
Taste Lancashire Award – Sponsored by Food Northwest /Made in Lancashire
The Carmen Rose, Ribchester
The Fisherman’s Retreat, Rossendale
Homestead Farm’s Shop, Holmeswood
La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn
Business Tourism Award of the Year – Sponsored by Lancashire Economic Partnership
Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
Preston Marriott Hotel
Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green
Sustainable Tourism Award – Sponsored by Natural Economy Northwest
Clough Bottom Farm Cottages, Bashall Eaves
Malkin Tower Farm Holiday Cottages, Blacko
Number One, South Beach, Blackpool
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Access for All Tourism Award – Sponsored by Robinson Holidays
Grand Theatre, Blackpool
Oswaldtwistle Mills Shopping Village
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Wyresdale Wheels for All Partnership, Wyre
Best Tourism Experience of the Year – Sponsored by Blackpool International Airport
Dukes at Williamson Park, Lancaster
Farmaggedon at Farmer Ted’s Farm Park, Ormskirk
Ribble Valley Food Trail
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
The Tourism Event of the Year Award will be decided by public vote; approximately 25K known visitors to the region will be invited to vote on a shortlist compiled by district tourism officers
Winners from the event this June, will go on to represent Lancashire and Blackpool at the England’s Northwest Tourism Awards, organised by the NWDA, with the opportunity to progress to the Enjoy England national finals – as demonstrated by The Beach House, Blackpool.
The Beach House, five star self-catering apartments owned by Darren and Estelle Livesey, has beaten strong competition to get through to the national finals of these tourism equivalents of ‘The Oscars’; the annually held Enjoy England Awards for Excellence, organised by Visit Britain. The event this year takes place at the National Railway Museum in York on St.George’s Day, April 23rd 2009.
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Media enquiries: Anna Izza, Communications Executive, Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board on 01257 226614 or [email protected].